HC Deb 16 December 1982 vol 34 cc218-9W
Mr. Eggar

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those functions or parts of his Department which he has transferred, or is in the process of transferring, to the private sector.

Mr. Peter Walker

In the period since May 1979, the following functions have been, or are in process of being, transferred to the private sector: the national collections of industrial and marine bacteria; the agency services provided by Land Settlement Association Ltd.; a substantial part of the commercial AI activities of the cattle breeding centre, Shinfield; cleaning services; and aerial surveillance of inshore waters for fisheries protection. In addition to these functions, my Department has also transferred a number of assets to the private sector, including its holdings in the British Sugar Corporation.